Scottish Executive

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Integrated Administration and Control System cases are with the Appeals Secretariat of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department waiting to be heard.

Ross Finnie: The EU Agricultural Subsidies appeals procedure covers decisions in agri-environment and afforestation schemes as well as Integrated Administration and Control System cases. There are currently 109 cases at Stage 1 and nine at Stage 2 which are having preparatory reports produced or are awaiting scheduling of a review meeting date. There are currently two cases at Stage 3, the judicial stage of the procedure, awaiting hearings by the Scottish Land Court.

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is before an Integrated Administration and Control System appeal is heard by the Appeals Secretariat of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

Ross Finnie: The EU Agricultural Subsidies appeals procedure covers decisions in agri-environment and afforestation schemes as well as Integrated Administration and Control System cases. We have taken steps to increase throughput which has reduced the time taken to arrange appeal reviews from over six months to around three to four months.

Agriculture

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is its policy to inform applicants to the integrated Administration and Control System Appeals Secretariat of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department of when their cases will be heard.

Ross Finnie: Yes. Appellants are informed of the date and time of their review meetings. Appellants have the choice of either a written or oral review. For oral reviews the appellant attends for part of the meeting and is able to present their grounds for appeal and answer questions.

Animal Disease Surveillance

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has put in place for long-term animal disease surveillance.

Allan Wilson: Veterinary surveillance is an integral part of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and the Scottish Executive has worked with the other UK administrations to create the UK Surveillance Strategy. This was published in October 2003 after extensive consultation with farming, veterinary and other stakeholders. The ten-year strategy will help to deliver earlier warning of disease threats, prioritise surveillance activities and make better use of the data collected. Building on partnerships between data producers, it will help enhance dissemination of information to the industry, to inform their own decision making.

Animal Disease Surveillance

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that there is adequate surveillance and laboratory resources for large animal veterinary services, in light of financial problems within the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC).

Allan Wilson: As noted in S2W–7449, the Scottish Executive is part of the UK Veterinary Surveillance Strategy. The Executive commissions SAC to provide veterinary surveillance services at an approximate cost of £2.5 million per annum. In addition, SAC’s laboratory services will be enhanced in June 2004 with the opening of a new diagnostic facility in Dumfries which has been funded primarily by the Executive. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search wa.

Animals

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what large animal veterinary service resources there are and how these resources have changed since the foot and mouth crisis.

Allan Wilson: The information requested is not held centrally. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has statistics about the available large animal veterinary resources.

Development

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7018 by Allan Wilson on 8 April 2004, whether it will provide a summary of the extent, location and estimated costs of resolving current and known planned developments throughout Scotland, including the timescale involved.

Ross Finnie: As Allan Wilson’s answer confirmed, this is an operational matter for Scottish Water. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to you about this matter.

  As Allan Wilson’s answer also confirmed, work is currently underway in relation to the timescale involved for Scottish Water’s next investment programme. This consultation process, which will precede any decisions about resolving constraints on development and a number of other investment priorities will take place in the summer and all members of the Scottish Parliament will receive a personal copy of the consultation document.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Enterprise

Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has come to any conclusions as a result of its consultation on Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Scotland and how it intends to establish BIDs in line with A Partnership for a Better Scotland .

Mr Andy Kerr: An analysis of the 60 responses we have received to our consultation on Business Improvement Districts has today been placed in SPICe and the Scottish Executive library, it is also being published on the Scottish Executive website.

  The response to the BIDs consultation has been very positive. However, it is clear from the responses received that several issues regarding BIDs require further discussion with the various stakeholders. In order to take this forward we are setting up a working group involving stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

Enterprise

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it commissioned research into a new Scottish brand and/or logo for the purposes of promoting Scotland overseas and, if so, on what basis such research was commissioned.

Mr Andy Kerr: As set out in the answer given to question S2W-5795 on 9 February 2004, the Executive has commissioned research activity to build upon our knowledge of how Scotland is perceived in a range of countries and domestically, and how we can use creative material to change or build upon those perceptions. The research is informing a number of elements of the Executive’s work to help achieve partnership agreement objectives by promoting Scotland overseas in a more coherent and effective way.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Equal Opportunities

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on how work is progressing in its equal opportunities pilot areas, highlighting what stage each pilot area is at and what steps it is taking to address any problems and blockages in meeting the desired outcomes in each pilot area.

Margaret Curran: Work on the equal opportunities pilot areas is on-going and results will be made available in due course. It is intended that the Executive will be reporting on mainstreaming and equality work, including the pilot areas, later this year.

Europe

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list its achievements in the European sphere, as referred to in paragraph 2 of its European Strategy.

Mr Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answer given to questions S2W–4000 and S2W–6306 on 24 November 2003 and 16 March 2004 respectively. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search

Europe

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its European Strategy is a framework, as referred to in paragraph 1 of the strategy, or whether it is a proposed framework, as referred to in paragraph 3 of that document and, if it is the latter, when a decision will be made on whether to adopt this framework.

Mr Andy Kerr: It is a framework.

European Union

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what appraisals have been made of the costs absorbed by it as a consequence of implementation of European Union legislation and decisions, given the statement in the speech by the First Minister to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on 23 March 2004 that regions so often pay the bill for the implementation of EU legislation and decisions.

Mr Andy Kerr: Appraisals of the estimated costs and likely benefits of the implementation of EU legislation and decisions are made by the UK Government in Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA). These inform the UK’s negotiating position on EU initiatives. The Scottish Executive is fully consulted on RIAs concerning devolved or partly devolved matters. No separate calculation of the precise overall cost specific to the Scottish Executive in implementing EU legislation has been made.

European Union

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place with Her Majesty's Government so that it is consulted on impending EU legislation and decision-making and whether such arrangements are consistent within the six-week timescale proposed in the new EU constitution for consulting with national parliaments on legislative proposals from the commission.

Mr Andy Kerr: The arrangements are set out in the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues and these are not inconsistent with the timescales proposed in the draft Constitutional Treaty.

European Union

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the comments made by the First Minister in his speech to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe on 23 March 2004 that, with respect to involvement in EU Commission decision making, not everything requires Treaty change and that it would be wrong to sit back and wait for the IGC to conclude and a new Treaty to come into force, negates any benefit of signing the new European constitution with respect to consultation at the lowest devolved level.

Mr Andy Kerr: In his speech to the Chamber of the Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, the First Minister indicated that we would take action which would complement any new Treaty references to the further involvement of the regions with legislative powers in the making of European Union decisions and law.

European Union

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to Her Majesty's Government about whether the vote and result of the proposed referendum on the EU draft constitution will be counted and reported for Scotland separately from the rest of the United Kingdom.

Mr Andy Kerr: The decision to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution was only announced on 20 April and the details have not been finalised at this stage. The Scottish Executive continues to work closely with the UK Government on issues relating to the draft Constitutional Treaty and the Intergovernmental Conference and will consider proposals for a referendum on any Treaty as they are worked up.

External Relations

Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken, or what plans there are, to utilise the presence of a consular corps and other overseas representatives based in Scotland with a view to promoting Scotland and building on existing mutually-beneficial links with their respective countries; when the most recent survey was conducted to seek their views; what the results of any such survey was, and what action was taken as the result of the survey.

Mr Andy Kerr: Ministers regularly meet with the consular representations in Scotland with a view to promoting Scotland and Scotland’s interests and building mutually beneficial links with other countries.

  The Executive wrote to all consular representations in December 2001 to ascertain their views on a variety of issues. Responses received over the following months revealed that Consular representations were keen to see enhanced engagement with the Executive.

  In January 2004 the First Minister and I hosted a seminar for all consular representations in Scotland to discuss the Executive’s agenda and priorities, including its European Strategy, the Fresh Talent Initiative and the promotion of Scotland. We intend to host similar events on a regular basis.

Ferry Services

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will urge Caledonian MacBrayne to enter into discussions with Highland Council to consider the introduction of an additional service on Friday afternoon and Monday morning for those children resident in the small isles who attend Mallaig High School.

Nicol Stephen: This matter was raised in response to our consultation exercise on the draft Invitation to Tender for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. We received a good response to the consultation and we are currently finalising the service specification, reflecting points made through consultation. I will announce my conclusions in due course.

Football

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek to have the Scottish Football Association set up a hardship fund, funded by football clubs, to meet claims from players and others who have had their contracts revoked following a club entering administration.

Mr Frank McAveety: No. This would be a matter for the football authorities to address.

Health

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive which local access forums have been established to date.

Mr Tom McCabe: There are currently 43 active access panels operating over 27 of the 32 local authority areas. Those areas which do not have access panels at the moment are East Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and North Lanarkshire.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to complementary medicine.

Malcolm Chisholm: It is open to NHS boards to provide complementary medicine through the NHS in Scotland. Decisions on whether to provide any particular form of complementary medicine are for NHS boards to make, based on their assessment of local needs. Information on the level of provision is not held centrally.

  NHS boards will be helped in their decisions on funding complementary medicine by reliable standards of regulation for complementary practitioners. The Executive, with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations, is currently taking part in a UK-wide consultation on the statutory regulation of people who practise acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the introduction of the Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2004 in the US House of Representatives on 2 April 2004 and the conclusions of Geier and Geier’s 2003 study Thimerosal in childhood vaccines, neurodevelopment disorders and heart disease in the United States , all vaccines containing mercury will be banned as a precautionary measure and, if so, when such vaccines will be banned.

Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7038 on 1 April 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7038 by Malcolm Chisholm on 1 April 2004, under what circumstances thiomersal would be removed from childhood vaccines as a precautionary measure and whether there are any plans to use the mercury-free vaccine, Infranrix, as an alternative to thiomersal.

Malcolm Chisholm: As set out in the answer to question S2W-7038 UK Health Departments are advised by a number of expert committees on matters relating to vaccination and immunisation and their advice, which has full regard to issues of safety and effectiveness is, and will continue to be, reflected in the childhood vaccination programme.

  Infranrix is the brand name of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) vaccine, currently licensed for use in the UK. The alternative, recommended, vaccine is DTwP (diphtheria, tetanus and wholecell pertussis) which contains thiomersal. Protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis is currently recommended for babies at two, three and four months and, when administered, the vaccine used is generally combined with a Hib vaccine to protect infants against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease.

  Based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), UK Health Departments currently recommend DTwP-Hib vaccine, for primary immunisation at 2, 3 and 4 months, as part of the childhood immunisation programme. This is because it has been demonstrated to give more effective protection against whooping cough (pertussis) than the DTaP-Hib alternative. Scientific evidence shows that the combined DTwP-Hib is more efficacious against Hib disease than DTaP-Hib, which provides lower immunity against Hib disease.

  Where a child has a valid contraindication to DTwP, current advice is that he or she should be given DTaP and separate Hib vaccines at the same time but in different limbs. General Practitioners (GPs) are aware that any final decision about immunisation of a child requires the informed consent of a parent or guardian. In that process, it is appropriate for GPs to make available information on why a particular product is recommended, while recognising that it is open to parents to request, and doctors to provide, an alternative vaccine, which is licensed in the UK and available through the NHS.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Holyrood Inquiry

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-7089 by Ms Patricia Ferguson on 1 April 2004, whether copies of all documents referred to have been provided to the Holyrood Inquiry and what the reasons are for this information not being placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what reports or advice the First Minister has received from the current Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Head of Legal and Parliamentary Services regarding the Holyrood project.

Patricia Ferguson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7428 on 4 May 2004, which I believe also provides an appropriate response to this question. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Justice

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the possible change in fees in civil cases in Scotland that may be required following the establishment of a UK Supreme Court.

Cathy Jamieson: No decision has yet been taken on the means of financing the proposed Supreme Court.

Justice

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the costs it will incur if a UK Supreme Court is established; how much it will have to contribute to the running costs of a Supreme Court, and how such costs compare with the running costs of the current system.

Cathy Jamieson: No decision has been taken on the means of financing the proposed Supreme Court. At present the Scottish Executive makes no direct contribution to the running costs of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords whose functions will transfer to the new Supreme Court.

Light Pollution

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish specific proposals on how it will reduce light pollution.

Allan Wilson: In line with the Partnership Agreement to "reduce light pollution and save energy by specifying appropriate lighting standards" the Executive is aiming to publish guidance on the reduction of such light pollution by the end of December 2004.

Oil and Gas Industry

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government on stimulating increased exploration and development in the oil and gas industry.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is in contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including stimulating increased exploration and development in the oil and gas industry. Through PILOT, the government and industry taskforce for the oil and gas industry of which I am Vice-Chair, we are continuing to work with the UK Government and the industry to develop, sustain and diversify the UK oil and gas industry.

Planning

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it (a) has taken and (b) intends to take to prevent the sale of school and public playing fields.

Mr Frank McAveety: The Executive is committed to the protection of playing fields through the planning system. Primary responsibility for the protection of playing fields lie with local authorities and robust planning policies are required to safeguard playing fields where they contribute to local community needs and enjoyment.  Sportscotland play an effective role in this process and will object to planning applications proposing development on playing fields unless it can be demonstrated that the playing fields are surplus to requirements and will not be required in the future.

Ports

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what implications will be for ports of increased security measures; what the estimated additional costs would be to ports of any such measures; who would be responsible for meeting any such costs; what funding will be available to meet such costs and from whom, and which ports would have to take steps to comply with regulations arising from such measures and which already comply.

Nicol Stephen: Maritime security is a reserved matter, and the Scottish Executive is in close contact with the Department for Transport's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) which is responsible for maritime counter-terrorist security policy.

  The UK already has a comprehensive maritime security regime in place that is regulated in accordance with the Aviation and Maritime Act 1990 and this will be used, where appropriate, as the foundation of a new National Maritime Security Programme (NMSP). A cornerstone of the NMSP is the introduction of the new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The ISPS Code applies to all port facilities serving passenger ships and cargo ships over 500gt engaged on international voyages.

  In the UK, the cost of meeting these security requirements falls to industry. The "user pays" principle has been maintained throughout the country’s history of regulating transport security, and costs are ultimately passed on to customers. It is not therefore possible to give an indication of costs because they are not held centrally.

  However, as part of the implementation process of the IMO’s new maritime security regime, TRANSEC is conducting a Regulatory Impact Assessment which will, when complete, provide a broad picture of the costs associated with meeting the UK’s new security requirements.

  The European Commission has also proposed a regulation to ensure consistent application and implementation of the IMO requirements, which the UK supports. The Department for Transport is also currently consulting on the proposal for an EC Directive on enhancing port security.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has carried out of Professor Allyson Pollock’s work on PFI.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive is aware of Professor Allyson Pollock’s published views on PFI, including the evidence she gave to the Finance Committee’s study into PPP. However, no detailed analysis has been carried out on her work.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how the capital expenditure of the NHS has varied as a result of PPP/PFI projects.

Malcolm Chisholm: The use of PPP/PFI has made a significant contribution to already increased levels of public capital investment in the NHS in Scotland. PPP/PFI is used where it is appropriate to do so and value for money demonstrated. To date there have been 43 PPP/PFI projects completed or contracts signed with a capital value of £567 million.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact PPP/PFI projects have had on the capital expenditure of each local authority.

Mr Andy Kerr: In PPP projects capital and service costs are united in a single annual service in each year of the contract. Therefore it has no direct effect on planned conventional capital expenditure. The detail requested is not held centrally. However, estimated payments under PPP contracts for local authority signed deals represent about 1.5% of the estimate of total expenditure provided to local authorities from the Scottish Executive for 2003-04.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the divergence has been between outline business case costs and out-turn costs for each PPP or PFI project in the last seven years.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive does not collate divergence of costs of a PPP project from Outline Business Case stage to outturn. Executive funding for PPP projects is capped. It is for the public sector body concerned to monitor the divergence of costs between outline business case and outturn and to ensure that the project remains affordable at contract close. Once financial close is reached, the annual payments to the private sector consortium are fixed and only increased by an inflation index, unless changes are made to the original contract.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times public sector comparators for PPP or PFI projects have been reappraised before a final decision has been made on a project in each of the last five years.

Mr Andy Kerr: The public sector comparator is assessed at outline business case stage and then again at final business case stage. It is for the public sector body concerned to undertake this and to ensure that value for money is monitored throughout the procurement.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times bankruptcy or liquidation has affected a partner in a PPP or PFI project.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many PPP/PFI partners have corporate trader status.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally. Composite trader status is an option in Scottish PPPs and it is for the procuring authority to assess whether such a proposal by a bidder offers improved value for money in a particular case.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which PPP/PFI projects have shareholders who are limited partnerships and who these shareholders are in each case.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is not held centrally.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many PPP/PFI projects have had shares transactions of more than 10% of the overall shareholding.

Mr Andy Kerr: We are aware of a few examples of share transactions in PPP companies following the initial contract. Such transactions can play a useful role in re-cycling capital for other projects, and bringing in new investors. Continuity of service is provided by the consortium. However, the detail requested is not held centrally.

Public Private Partnerships

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff currently work in its (a) Private Finance and (b) Financial Partnership unit.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Private Finance and Capital Unit in the Scottish Executive Health Department deals with all public capital and PPP issues within the NHS in Scotland. There are six full-time equivalent staff working in the Unit. The Financial Partnerships Unit in the Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department deals with all non-health PPP projects and Executive PPP wider policy issues. There are 6.5 full-time equivalent staff currently within the unit.

Public Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a cost-benefit analysis was sought by it or Transport Initiatives Edinburgh into the proposed tram scheme on Edinburgh and, if so, who conducted the analysis, when it was completed and will be published, whether it will detail the findings and conclusions of the analysis and whether the conclusion opposed the establishment of the scheme.

Nicol Stephen: City of Edinburgh Council as promoter of the tram scheme has commissioned Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (tie) to undertake detailed analysis of the scheme in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). Publication of this analysis is a matter for the council and tie.

Renewable Energy

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the enactment of the UK Energy Bill will have on its functions in relation to granting consent to offshore renewable energy generation plants within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea limit.

Lewis Macdonald: The enactment of the Energy Bill will have no immediate impact on the Executive’s functions within the territorial sea as we already have powers to consent proposals under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 within these waters. The Energy Bill contains additional powers in respect of offshore renewable energy developments beyond the territorial sea and we are discussing with Her Majesty’s Government arrangements for the extension of executively devolved powers in this area.

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many wind farm applications have been approved, broken down by region.

Lewis Macdonald: The information in the format requested for wind farms in excess of 1MW is available on the Executive website:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ELLD/EN-CS/00017058/page1711523477.aspx.

Research Funding

Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget was for aquaculture research in each of the last eight years and what the budget allocation is for such research for each of the next five years.

Allan Wilson: The total investment made by the Scottish Executive and Fisheries Research Services in aquaculture research, in each of the last eight years, is provided in the table. The level of investment over the next five years is expected to be similar to that in the more recent years.

  

 Year
 £ 
  (Million)


 1996-97
 1.00


 1997-98
 1.04


 1998-99
 0.54


 1999-2000
 1.15


 2000-01
 1.05


 2001-02
 1.30


 2002-03e
 1.41


 2003-04e
 1.55


 Total
 9.05



  The Executive will shortly be granting the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) £100,000 towards its operating and research costs for 2004-05. The SARF was formally established in April 2004 and enjoys representation from a wide range of stakeholders, as well as having an independent chair. The SARF promotes, encourages and supports research and development into aquaculture and related activities. The formation of the SARF was one of the 33 priorities for action contained within the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture.

Residential Care

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many care homes have closed in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03 and (d) 2003 to date, broken down by local authority area, in light the report in The Herald on 1 April 2004 on care home closures.

Mr Tom McCabe: Table 1 shows the total number of residential care homes for older people and nursing homes which opened and closed in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02. Note that some homes were dual registered and will be counted in both columns.

  Table 1

  

  
 Residential 
  Care Homes for Older People
 Nursing Homes


 Number of Homes – 31 March 2000
 631
 557


 Opened
 20
 15


 Closed
 30
 3


 Number of Homes – 31 March 2001
 621
 569


 Opened
 5
 4


 Closed
 21
 15


 Number of Homes – 31 March 2002
 605
 558



  Sources: SEHD Community Care Statistics – R1 return, ISD Scotland – ISD(S)34 return.

  Table 2 shows the number of care homes which opened, closed or de-registered in (c) 2002-03. Note that de-registered homes have not closed but are now operating as housing support services.

  Table 2

  

  
 Care 
  Homes


 Number of homes – 31 March 2002
 1,018


 De-registered
 9


 Number of homes – 31 March 2002 adjusted
 1,009


 Opened
 2


 Closed
 30


 Number of homes – 31 March 2003
 981



  Source: SEHD Community Care Statistics – SCHC return.

  Information relating to care homes closed in (d) 2003 to date is not currently available centrally.

  The SEHD Analytical Services Division are currently attempting to harmonise data from the Care Commission, local authorities, and the ISD Nursing Home Census. Once this is completed, an accurate breakdown by local authority area will be available.

  Over the same period, the number of people receiving care in their own homes increased (by 4 per cent) and the number of hours of home care services provided by local authorities also increased (by 11 per cent).

  This reflects a continuing shift in the balance of service provision towards more care at home.

Residential Care

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) care homes and (b) care home places have been available in each of the last five years for (i) older people, (ii) adults with physical disabilities, (iii) adults with mental health problems, (iv) adults with learning disabilities and (v) adults in other client groups.

Mr Tom McCabe: Table 1 shows the number of residential care homes and nursing homes and the number of places in these homes for 1999-2002. Note that some homes were dual-registered and may therefore appear in both the residential care homes and nursing homes sections.

  Table 1

  

 Residential Care Homes for:
 Number 
  of Homes
 Number 
  of Places


 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002


 Older People
 659
 631
 621
 605
 16,276
 15,814
 15,085
 14,843


 Adults with Physical Disabilities
 51
 44
 57
 60
 829
 868
 699
 655


 Adults with Mental Health Problems
 194
 186
 195
 184
 1,439
 1,344
 1,443
 1,346


 Adults with Learning Disabilities
 598
 628
 624
 609
 4,527
 4,760
 4,551
 4,357


 Adults in other Client Groups
 124
 116
 123
 115
 1,292
 1,259
 1,300
 1,127


 Nursing Homes
 556
 557
 569
 558
 25,313
 25,126
 25,550
 25,225



  Sources: SEHD Community Care Statistics – R1 return, ISD Scotland – ISD(S)34 return.

  Table 2 shows the number of care homes and care home places in 2002-03. Note that the 2002 figures exclude care homes which have de-registered and re-registered as housing support services.

  Table 2

  

 Care Homes for:
 Number 
  of Homes
 Number 
  of places


 2002
(Adjusted)
 2003
 2002
(Adjusted)
 2003


 Older People
 1,009
 981
 37,149
 36,829


 Adults with Physical Disabilities
 52
 51
 919
 861


 Adults with Mental Health Problems
 126
 122
 1,339
 1,275


 Adults with Learning Disabilities
 392
 376
 3,431
 3,264


 Adults in Other Client Groups
 91
 86
 1,440
 1,349



  Source: SEHD Community Care Statistics – SCHC return.

  The overall number of care home places fell slightly between 2002 and 2003 (by 1.6%). However, over the same time period the number of people receiving care in their own homes increased (by 4 per cent) and the number of hours of home care services provided by local authorities also increased (by 11 per cent).

  This reflects a continuing shift in the balance of service provision towards more care at home.

Road Accidents

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2901 by Sarah Boyack on 14 December 1999, what progress has been made in diagnosing sleepiness as a factor in road accidents.

Nicol Stephen: A road safety research report looking at sleepiness as a factor in road accidents was published by the UK Government in 2001. The report suggests that sleep could be a factor in a tenth of all road accidents across the whole of the road network and up to 20% on "monotonous" roads, especially motorways.

Road Accidents

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has access to statistics that note the causes, such as "driver fatigue", of road traffic accidents.

Nicol Stephen: Data about injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the Stats 19 statistical report form. These returns cover only road accidents in which one or more people were injured: they do not cover damage only accidents.

  The Stats 19 returns do not record the causes of the accidents. Under a pilot scheme, 14 police forces across Great Britain have been voluntarily submitting information on contributory factors to accidents along with their Stats 19 returns. However, it is not possible to use the pilot contributory factor data to provide figures which are representative of accidents in Scotland because only two police forces in Scotland took part in the scheme. I understand that the UK Government is analysing the pilot data and will publish an article later in the year.

  Starting in January 2005, the pilot scheme will be replaced by a new set of questions on contributory factors, which will form an integral part of the Stats 19 injury road accident reporting system. Information about contributory factors should thereafter be supplied by all police forces for personal injury accidents which are reported either (a) following attendance at the scene by a police officer or (b) by a member of the public to police staff at a police station.

Road Accidents

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2901 by Sarah Boyack on 14 December 1999, what changes or measures have been implemented to date as a result of Tomorrow's roads - safer for everyone .

Nicol Stephen: The first three year review of the GB road safety strategy Tomorrow’s Roads – safer for everyone was published on 7 April. The review reports that considerable research has been undertaken by the Department for Transport to increase understanding of the risks associated with falling asleep at the wheel. This work is continuing and has helped influence publicity campaigns to raise awareness amongst drivers of the dangers of driving while tired and the need to take regular breaks. Campaigns started in August 2000 and have included leaflets, posters, TV and radio advertising. In addition motorway variable message signs and truck backs have been used to carry the "Don’t Drive Tired" message directly to drivers on the road. Copies of the review are available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 32399).

Roads

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when a copy of the A9 junctions safety review of Keir and Inveralmond roundabouts will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Nicol Stephen: BEAR Scotland Ltd has completed their review of all of the junctions on the A9 between Keir Roundabout, Dunblane and Broxden Roundabout, Perth and their strategy report is currently being finalised. A summary of the recommendations contained in the report will be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre in May 2004.

Roads

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all works being carried out on southbound slip roads at the A80 Auchenkilns interchange relate solely to the upgrade of the interchange and why such works are not shown on the workscope plan for the project.

Nicol Stephen: All the works under construction relate solely to the upgrade of the A80 Auchenkilns interchange and were shown in the plans displayed at the public exhibitions.

Rural Development

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gives to local authorities on the importance of maintaining sustainable rural communities.

Peter Peacock: In its dealings with local authorities, the Scottish Executive regularly makes clear its commitment to sustainable rural communities. The Executive will shortly be publishing statutory guidance and advice notes for Community Planning partners, including local authorities. Community planning is the main vehicle for delivery of local services that meet the needs of rural communities. The guidance will include material dealing specifically with rural development.

Schools

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it concurs with Scottish Office policy from 1998 that acknowledged the importance of ensuring that all those consulted on rural school closure proposals feel that they have been listened to and have had the opportunity to properly assess the balance of arguments for and against the proposals.

Peter Peacock: The Education (Publication and Consultation Etc)(Scotland) Regulations 1981 place strict requirements on education authorities regarding consultations on school closure proposals. This includes provision for parents and other consultees to make representations to the authority, and for public meetings to be held about the proposals. Authorities are required by statute to have regard to representations made to them by those consulted before reaching a decision on a school closure proposal.

  The Executive expects authorities to implement the requirements upon them fully and in a sensitive and considered way given the significance of the issues to local communities and individuals. Authorities are accountable locally for their decisions on such matters.

Schools

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1704 by Euan Robson and the members’ business debate ( Official Report ; Vol 1 No 64 (Session 2), c 7177 and c 7178) on 25 March 2004, what plans it has to progress the proposed code of guidance on school closures with COSLA.

Peter Peacock: Following discussion with COSLA, we will prepare new guidance for parents, to improve understanding of the processes and of the respective rolls of local authorities and ministers.

Schools

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the members’ business debate ( Official Report ; Vol 1 No 64 (Session 2) c 7178) on 25 March 2004, what plans it has to adopt policy, against the closure of rural schools in line with the presumption in England.

Peter Peacock: When the presumption was announced in England in 1998, ministers in Scotland declined to follow suit but, rather, drew the attention of Scottish local authorities to the importance of balancing all the educational, financial and community issues which particular school closure proposals can raise, and of taking account of representations made during the statutory consultation process before reaching decisions.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued any guidelines to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in respect of the acceptability of digital photographs provided by a complainer as supportive evidence of allegations of pollution or on any other environmental issue and, if so, what such guidelines are.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has not issued guidance to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about the acceptability or admissibility of digital photographs provided by a complainer as evidence in respect of any alleged pollution incident or other environmental issue.

Scottish Executive Equipment

Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it disposes of computer equipment that becomes surplus to requirements.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive operates a disposal policy for its computer equipment which offers alternative disposal routes subject to the estimated market value and volume of the equipment identified for disposal.

  1. Trade-in of surplus equipment when an order for new computer equipment is placed with the supplier.

  2. Tender invitations to suppliers to uplift and dispose of obsolete computer equipment.

  3. Secure and environmental disposal of obsolete computer equipment.

  4. Donation to voluntary or charitable organisations.

Scottish Executive Ministers

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what occasions since May 1999 Scottish ministers have exercised (a) prerogative functions including any functions originally conferred on a Minister of the Crown by a prerogative instrument and (b) non-statutory executive functions under section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998.

Patricia Ferguson: The information requested is not recorded.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what links have been developed between its strategy and action plan, Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland , and its other policies and initiatives and what objectives have been achieved as a result.

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to ensure that reducing the rate of suicide is clearly on its agenda and that of its departments, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: A key objective of the first phase of the Choose Life Implementation work (up until 2006) is to ensure that suicide prevention is on the agenda of Scottish Executive Departments and reflected in relevant policies. This is a key task for the Head of Implementation for Choose Life (appointed in January 2004).

  For example, work is progressing with:

  Scottish Executive Education Department on anti-bullying initiatives and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing in schools.

  Scottish Executive Development Department on work relating to social exclusion, community mental health and wellbeing, inequalities and money advice.

  Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department on employability, in particular for those furthest from the employment market.

  Scottish Executive Justice Department, supporting the SPS in progressing suicide prevention in prisons.

  Health Department – development of improved mental health services, particularly responding to crisis.

  Suicide Prevention is one of the key aims of the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being in Scotland. The National Programme is a key element of the Executive’s Health Improvement Challenge, another example of cross-departmental working.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Implementation Support Team, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland , first met; on how many occasions it has met, and what issues were on its agenda.

Malcolm Chisholm: Following a national recruitment process in 2003, the Head of Implementation for Choose Life, Caroline Farquhar, took up post in January 2004. Arrangements are in hand to recruit three additional members to the National Implementation Support Team.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland , how many events the National Support Network has organised and what local agencies have taken part.

Malcolm Chisholm: The first meeting of the National Support Network was held on 7 November 2003 in Edinburgh. The Network draws together representatives from each of the 32 Community Planning Partnerships. The majority of the 32 local areas were represented at this summit.

  Key national statutory agencies were also present, including:

  NHS Health Scotland;

  Scottish Prison Service;

  Scottish Ambulance Service;

  Scottish Police Service, and

  NHS 24

  Plus key voluntary organisations, including:

  Samaritans;

  Cruse Bereavement Care;

  Depression Alliance (Scotland);

  Penumbra, and

  Scottish Association for Mental Health

  The National Support Network aims to meet on an annual basis. Over the next two months, three regional meetings of members of the National Support Network are also being held, to focus more closely on regional issues.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland , how many national suicide prevention summits have been held and what issues have been discussed.

Malcolm Chisholm: The first National Support Network meeting on 7 November 2003 also served as a National Suicide Prevention summit. Representatives of key National agencies along with local representatives met to discuss the first phase of the implementation of Choose Life and to consider the most effective way of developing and informing the implementation work nationally.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland , when the National Public Mental Health Resource Service was established and what its key objectives are.

Malcolm Chisholm: The National Public Mental Health Resource was launched in December 2002 (at the same time as Choose Life) by the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS). The key objectives are to collect and disseminate up to date evidence and good practice in relation to suicide prevention and other areas of work. The resource can be found at www.hebs.com/suicideprevention.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance on priority groups has been published and on what dates, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: Guidance was issued to all local authorities and their Community Planning Partners in June 2003 on the implementation of Choose Life.

  Guidance on priority groups was prepared for consideration at the first National Support Network meeting in November 2003. Since then, further work has been undertaken on the guidance material to produce a toolkit resource, for use nationally and locally. This toolkit will help provide guidance on priority groups, in particular children and young people.

  In addition to this, Cruse Bereavement Care are being funded by the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being to produce a video called "Living with Suicide" and supporting resource materials, on coping with bereavement following a suicide. These will be launched later in the year.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when guidelines for the media were published, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: The National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being is working with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Scotland to provide guidance for people working in the media on the reporting and representation of mental health and suicide. The NUJ plan to launch this guidance later this year.

  In addition to this, Samaritans published a helpful guide in June 2002 for the media to use when reporting suicide. The guidelines, which are available electronically via Samaritans’ website – www.samaritans.org/know/media_guide.shtm, are aimed at those reporting suicide in any media from factual description to dramatic portrayal. The guidelines outline suicide facts, media myths, signs of suicide risk and recommend phrases to use when referring to suicide.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when a national capacity for collection of data on suicide was established, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: The establishment of a national capacity for collection of data on suicide will be a key task for the National Information Manager for Choose Life. This post is one of the Choose Life National Implementation Support Team posts to be recruited shortly, and to which I referred in the answer given to question S2W-7698. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out on suicide prevention and what research has been published, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: The Mental Health Research Team in the Health Department Analytical Services Division is developing a research and evaluation strategy to support the National Programme. A major part of this work is focused on the actions laid out in Choose Life – a National Strategy and Action Plan . The first version of the strategy was published on "Well on the Web" in January 2004, and will be updated regularly.

  A three-stage process has been adopted by the team to ensure that the evidence base relating to suicide and suicidal behaviour is reliable, comprehensive and able to inform practice at national and local levels. A scoping exercise was commissioned in January (stage 1) to explore the interests and areas of expertise of those centres and individuals focusing on suicide-related research (nationally and internationally). Respondents are invited to contribute to establishing the territory and focus of a series of reviews to collate the existing evidence base on research relating to suicide and suicidal behaviour, and to identify gaps (stage 2). The scoping exercise will be completed in June and the report will be published by September 2004. The reviews will be commissioned later in the year. Once reliable evidence to suggest gaps in information has been established, primary research will be commissioned (stage 3).

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland , what performance management arrangements have been established to monitor the impact of the strategy and action plan on service provision.

Malcolm Chisholm: Guidance was issued to each local area in June 2003. This set out the requirements on local areas to produce a local suicide prevention action plan by the end of December 2003. All local action plans have now been submitted, and have since been assessed by the Head of Implementation for Choose Life.

  Individual meetings have been held with all 32 local suicide prevention representatives. Local actions will be subject to further monitoring and performance management. This work will be undertaken by the Head of Implementation and the National Implementation Support Team.

  In addition to this, an independent evaluation is being commissioned by the Scottish Executive to assess the impact of the first phase of the Choose Life Strategy and Action Plan. This evaluation will report in 2006.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what local alliances have been established, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland

Malcolm Chisholm: All 32 local areas have established local multi-agency Choose Life suicide prevention alliances as part of their Community Planning Partnership Structure.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local action plans have been established and when, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: All 32 local action plans were received by the end of January 2004.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local self-help groups have been established, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: It is not possible to identify which, nor how many, local self-help groups have been established as a result of Choose Life. Each local action plan addresses support for local self-help groups. Guidance to local areas, which was issued in June 2003, made clear that an element of local Choose Life funds is to be used to help establish and maintain local self-help groups. This is one of the aspects which the National Programme will be monitoring.

Suicide

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local training programmes have been developed, as referred to in Choose Life – A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland .

Malcolm Chisholm: Guidance to local areas, which was issued in June 2003, identified the development of local multi-agency training as a priority area. Each local area action plan addresses how local training is to be taken forward.

  In addition to local training work, a national training strategy is currently being developed for Choose Life. The first element of this is the introduction of a community-based training course first developed in Alberta, Canada called Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). ASIST is a training and capacity building programme to help develop a long-term sustainable infrastructure for suicide prevention. The training enables participants to be ready, willing and able to provide emergency first-aid to persons at risk of suicidal behaviour.

  ASIST is by far the most widely used, acclaimed and researched suicide intervention skills training in the world. It has been refined over a period of 20 years with feedback from over 400,000 participants and 2,000 active trainers worldwide. Links have been established between Choose Life in Scotland and Living Works Education, a highly respected training organisation based in Alberta, Canada, which developed the ASIST training.

  From April 25 till May 7 2004, two 1 - week ASIST training programmes are being held in Scotland; one in West Lothian and one in Glasgow. Forty-eight individuals from around Scotland are being trained to become ASIST trainers. This is the first wave of training ASIST instructors in Scotland and further courses are planned.

Sustainable Development

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-14.

Peter Peacock: As yet there are no plans in place arising from the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

  I do, however, support in principle the objectives for the Decade, which go far wider than just formal education, and officials in the Executive and Department for Education and Skills are considering what action, if any, is necessary.

Wildlife

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Forestry Commission or Forestry Enterprise use electric fencing in order to control deer and, if so, why such fencing is used; whether this type of fencing can be used by private landowners; what information it has received in respect of the use of this type of fencing; whether the Deer Commission for Scotland have received such information; what commission internal documents there are relating to the matter, and whether any such reports will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Allan Wilson: Forest Enterprise, Scotland currently has 13.5 kilometres of electric fencing along boundaries in three locations, Mull, Glen Prosen and Rannoch. In two areas Mull and Glen Prosen they are regarded as temporary measures to be used until agreement is reached on the erection of conventional fencing along mutual boundaries. In Rannoch the electric fence is being used to strengthen an existing conventional fence to protect woodland from red deer incursion during periods of heavy snowfall.

  Electric fencing is used on private estates. However, there is no Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme support for the erection of this type of fence.

  The Forestry Commission produced a Research Information Note (Number 206) in 1992 on the use of electric fences following two year trials in Argyll and the North of England. The project identified that electric fencing is not such an effective barrier to red and roe deer as conventional line and wire mesh fencing. Roe deer in particular are very resistant to electric current. There have been a number of more recent reports that have reached similar conclusions.

  The Deer Commission Scotland (DCS) is aware of this information and is currently working with Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department to produce a joint policy statement on deer fencing. Once published, this will be made available in Parliament’s Reference Centre. What internal documents DCS have is a matter for the Commission and this information is not held centrally.